6 of the 15 players on TSN's trade board heading into the offseason are right-handed defencemen. Zaitsev is one of them, so 5 of them are potential targets. There probably isn't much interest here in Shattenkirk, particularly at his cap hit. Cap hit + cost to acquire probably rule out Subban and Trouba (although if Dubas wants to make a huge splash who knows).

That still leaves Travis Hamonic and Colin Miller though. Both players have been linked to the Leafs in the past. There were legitimate reports of a trade offer for Hamonic when he was an Islanders, while Miller is linked because of his connection with the Soo and the fact that he's an analytics darling right-handed defenceman so everyone just assumes Dubas would covet him. Both would look pretty good in a Leafs uniform.

Would the Leafs entertain Nylander, Brown for Subban(30 years old) swap? Pretty much equal money coming and going. He has 3 years left at 9 mill cap hit. In 20-21, 21-22 he has a 6 mill signing bonus in each so his salary is only 2 mill and he has no restrictions for being traded. I don't know if I'd do it but it does make me think.

Maybe next season, but I just don't see that being financially feasible this year. You'd still have to replace Brown with somebody.

Please explain why they can't financially. Brown is getting replaced by a Moore type player/contract so I don't see it being an issue if the money is equal going out, coming back. What am I missing?

6 of the 15 players on TSN's trade board heading into the offseason are right-handed defencemen. Zaitsev is one of them, so 5 of them are potential targets. There probably isn't much interest here in Shattenkirk, particularly at his cap hit. Cap hit + cost to acquire probably rule out Subban and Trouba (although if Dubas wants to make a huge splash who knows).

That still leaves Travis Hamonic and Colin Miller though. Both players have been linked to the Leafs in the past. There were legitimate reports of a trade offer for Hamonic when he was an Islanders, while Miller is linked because of his connection with the Soo and the fact that he's an analytics darling right-handed defenceman so everyone just assumes Dubas would covet him. Both would look pretty good in a Leafs uniform.

Would the Leafs entertain Nylander, Brown for Subban(30 years old) swap? Pretty much equal money coming and going. He has 3 years left at 9 mill cap hit. In 20-21, 21-22 he has a 6 mill signing bonus in each so his salary is only 2 mill and he has no restrictions for being traded. I don't know if I'd do it but it does make me think.

Maybe next season, but I just don't see that being financially feasible this year. You'd still have to replace Brown with somebody.

Please explain why they can't financially. Brown is getting replaced by a Moore type player/contract so I don't see it being an issue if the money is equal going out, coming back. What am I missing?

It may not be impossible if we can also dump Zaitsev to someone. Many salary cap projections already have us replacing Brown with a minimum salary player and even then that requires what some might consider optimistic salary projections for our RFA wingers.

Please explain why they can't financially. Brown is getting replaced by a Moore type player/contract so I don't see it being an issue if the money is equal going out, coming back. What am I missing?

The Leafs need to trade Brown just to get cap compliant with the guys on their roster now. Let's assume Marner signs for $9.5mil and Kapanen and Johnsson each sign for $2.5mil, if the Leafs trade Brown they'll pretty much only barely be under the salary cap with a 21 man roster. So in your hypothetical trade the Leafs would still need to find $2-2.5mil in cap space somewhere (so that would mean one of Kapanen or Johnsson would probably have to go).

Without copying all your post. Seeing Brown needs to go away for nothing then lets assume hes traded for a pick. Would the Leafs do Hyman and Nylander for Subban then? That would take care of Subban's salary.

That roster there gives us $15,000 in cap space. Petan could be swapped for a 7D instead. If it's Borgman that gives us an extra $75k in cap space.

Dermott and Hyman will need to join Horton on LTIR to start the season, so it'll be awhile before we even start to accumulate cap space.

Dubas has to have something up his sleeve because I can't see them starting with that little cap space.

I'm pretty sure (though I haven't actually checked) that no team has ever started a season this close to the cap. The reason is short-term injuries. If a guy is injured for 5 games then you don't get cap relief. That guy is out and you have to fill his slot on the team, but you can't add another player with just 15K in space... And of course, the problem is compounded if you have 2 or 3 injuries. Moreover, this always happens at some point so you simply can't be that tight to the cap. At least that's my understanding. That's why teams always leave at least 1 million in room at the beginning of the season.

Some of the commenters complained that Mirtle's rosters from the Athletic, which use your salary figures (9.5 for Marner; 2.5 for Kappy and Johnsson) are too tight. I think someone in addition to Brown (and Gardiner) are moved.

And from this perspective, I think the Goat is a *great* regular season player for the leafs.

I,m wondering if the Leafs have to part with some major pieces.I can,t see this working out to a serious cup contender as it appears right now.

For example if Marner gets a big offer from another club.Maybe they have to get their 4 first rounders and move on.Use that room to get some defence and a cheaper wingers. Without him they would still have their 3 main centers to build the team around.